San Polino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

Introduction

This prestigious red wine hails from Italy, specifically the Tuscany region within the world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino appellation. San Polino is a historic estate with origins dating back to the 10th century, though its modern era began in 1990 when Luigi Fabbro and Katia Nussbaum restored the property. The winery is a pioneer of sustainability, having been the first in Montalcino to obtain organic certification in 1994, and it now operates under a strict biodynamic philosophy. Their winemaking approach focuses on enhancing the biodiversity of the terroir through obsessive care, utilizing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in tronic oak vats to ensure the purity and elegance of the fruit.

Wine Description

The 2016 Riserva presents a lustrous mid-to-deep ruby colour in the glass. The nose is incredibly complex and fragrant, offering a heady mix of brooding cherry, plums, and woodland berries, layered with floral top notes of violets and lavender. As it opens, deeper nuances of cedar, sandalwood, liquorice, and balsamic herbs emerge, alongside hints of exotic spice and white pepper. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and refined, showcasing a monumental intensity of ripe red and black fruits complemented by savory spices and a tangy, mineral edge.

Crafted from 100% Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso), this Riserva is matured for 6 months in French barriques followed by 4 years in large Slavonian oak barrels. Stylistically, it is a beefy and muscular wine that maintains a phenomenal sense of polish and balance. The structure is defined by firm, chewy, and tactile tannins that carry the wine into an eternally long, focused finish. While it shows wonderfully now, this wine possesses massive aging potential, with an optimal drinking window between 2024 and 2045.

Accolades

• 'James Suckling - 98 points'

• 'Wine Spectator - 96 points'